. >>> i'm wolf blitzer in washington. also want to welcome our international viewers, our viewers in the united states and around the world. a scandal that's brought down the head of the cia, a looming financial crisis, and a lingerring question about the deadly attack on the u.s. diplomatic mission in benghazi, libya. president obama expected to face questions about all of that and more this hour when he meets with reporters over at the white house. he is scheduled to step up to the podium in about 30 minutes. you'll see all of it live right here on cnn. we're bringing you special live coverage leading up to the president's news conference. i'm joined by our colleague suzanne malveaux. she's at the cnn center in atlanta. also, our panel here many washington. our chief political analyst gloria borger, donna brazil, and our national security contributor fran townsend, also a member of the cia's external advisory board. we also have our chief business correspondent ali velshi standing by in new york. our senior who will be